I am writing to express my…

I am writing to express my deep concern and outright opposition to the proposal to exempt York1’s massive dump expansion from the required environmental assessment (EA). This reckless move would endanger public health, ecosystems, and the integrity of Ontario’s environmental oversight—setting a dangerous precedent for future projects.

**1. Proximity to Sensitive Locations**
The proposed expansion is alarmingly close to a river and a high school, posing unacceptable risks:

- **Water contamination:** A dump of this scale near a river risks leaching toxic chemicals, microplastics, and runoff into the waterway, harming aquatic life and downstream communities.

- **Health impacts for students:** Airborne pollutants (e.g., methane, particulate matter) and increased truck traffic near a school could exacerbate respiratory illnesses and other health issues for vulnerable young people.

**2. Environmental Assessments Exist for a Reason**
EAs are critical to evaluating long-term risks, including groundwater contamination, habitat destruction, and cumulative impacts. Waiving this requirement ignores science and community well-being in favor of expediency for a private operator. If this exemption is granted, it will incentivize other companies to demand similar rollbacks, eroding Ontario’s environmental safeguards.

**3. Climate and Biodiversity Concerns**
Ontario should be prioritizing waste reduction and circular economy solutions—not mega-dumps that perpetuate pollution. This project contradicts provincial and federal commitments to protect biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., methane from decomposing waste).

**Demand for Accountability**

I urge you to:

- **Reject the EA exemption** and require a full, transparent assessment with public consultation.

- **Protect the river and school
community** by enforcing buffer zones and stringent regulations for industrial projects near sensitive areas.

This proposal must not be rushed through without scrutiny. The health of our environment and community is not negotiable.